Browns investigating Davone Bess' Twitter photo

Jeff Forman/JForman@News-Herald.com

Davone Bess eludes the Ravens' Lardarius Webb during the Nov. 3, 2013, game at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland. The Browns on Thursday said they are investigating a picture posted on Bess' Twitter account showing a small bag that appears to contain marijuana.

The Browns are investigating a picture posted on Davone Bess’ Twitter account showing a small bag that appears to contain marijuana.

More of the brown-green substance is spread on a table along with a five-hour energy drink, a beverage in a large glass, a cigar and the word “Jah” on the wallpaper of what appears to be Bess’ cellphone. The photo was on Bess’ official @DavoneBess Twitter account, but the tweet has since been deleted.

In December, just before the Browns’ wide receiver was placed on the reserve/non-football illness list for the final two weeks of the season, a photo on Bess’ Instagram account (since closed) showed Bess on his deck lighting what appears to be a cigarette of cigarillo. He is draped in a Rastafarian flag while sitting next to a picture of the late reggae singer Bob Marley.

Rastafari is a religion involving the spiritual use of marijuana. Jah is a term used by Rastafarians.

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"The team is aware of the photos and looking further into the situation and will deal with the matter internally,'' a Browns spokesman said in a statement Thursday morning.

Bess was acquired from the Dolphins during the draft last year in a swap of mi-range and low draft picks. The Browns wanted him to be their third down receiver to sustain drives. Instead, he led the league with 14 dropped passes.

Bess signed a three-year contract extension through 2016 when the trade was made. The deal was worth $11.05 million with $5.75 million guaranteed. He is under contract for $3.067 million in 2014.

It is unclear whether the photos or Bess’ family situation will affect his status with the Browns.